Theater Talk

December 04, 2012

Although the Broadway musical The Story of My Life isn’t explicitly a holiday show, its interweaving of references to Frank Capra’s classic film It’s a Wonderful Life make the musical timely. Joe Bishara and Jeff Horst co-star in CATCO’s area premiere of the 90-minute one-act, which continues through Dec. 16 in the Riffe Center’s Studio Two Theatre.
“It’s a tip of a hat to that time of the season when it gets colder outside and people come together and realize what they’re thankful for,” Horst said.
“The show is a reminder that what matters most are the friends who are in your corner.”

November 14, 2014

"There’s never a reason to give up, no matter what you’re running from or
running to," said Ezekial Andrew, one of the actors singing their hearts out in
Fugitive Songs.
That’s just one of the hopeful lessons learned by the six young-adult characters whose
journeys are dramatized in the Short North Stage’s admirable central Ohio premiere of the
off-Broadway musical. The intimate production opened Thursday and continues through Nov. 30 at the
Garden Theater’s Main Stage, 1187 N. High St.

August 06, 2013

Just how funny, charming and unpredictable is
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Broadway show that’s been described as
A Chorus Line for the grade-school set?
Enough that two actors in CATCO’s production, which continues through Aug. 18 in the Riffe
Center’s Studio One Theatre, are appearing in the musical comedy for the second time.

October 18, 2011

For Stephen Sondheim fans, the first production by the hugely promising Short North Stage turns
out to be even more delightful than expected.
From its lovely singing to its impressive staging, this
Follies is one to savor and remember – that is, if you’re lucky enough to snag tickets
before it sells out.
The fledgling professional troupe billed its first musical as a concert-style production in
its advance publicity, but this rare revival grew during rehearsals into almost a fully staged
musical under the brilliant direction of Kevin McGuire.

August 12, 2013

Many young adults especially relate to the struggles of the young
adults in
tick, tick…BOOM! – especially the gnawing sense that the time they have to achieve their
dreams is running out.
Being young and talented, but also poor and as-yet unsuccessful in a challenging career, is
at the tumultuous heart of the off-Broadway musical, in an area premiere by Evolution Theatre
Company which continues through Saturday Aug. 17 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center’s Shedd
Theatre, 549 Franklin Ave.
"As a performer myself, I know you’ve got to know what you want and follow your dreams," said
cast member Kaitlin Descutner, 25.

January 18, 2012

Just in time for Black History Month, Evolution Theatre Company has launched a new “edu-tainment” program for central Ohio schools.
The program will begin in February with tours of Oh Freedom, Eric McKeever’s one-act musical celebrating African American culture and history from the slavery era to today.
“Entertainment can be used as a very effective educational tool, and this show about diversity and acceptance is ideal for our first initiative in taking our work to the schools,” said Mark Schwamberger, managing director of Evolution Theatre Company.
“Eric has tailored the show to focus on the history of blacks from slavery to modern times and on Ohio, so it fits in well with Black History Month and helps kick off Columbus’ bicentennial.”